Page 91 of Forbidden Hearts
“No? You never go out with Rowan unless you want to drink your worries away.”
I huff. “Not true.”
It’s actually true, but I’m not admitting it to her.
“Let’s see, you did it when you found out Sara was pregnant, when you were upset about getting passed over for the assistant chief position.” She keeps counting them off on her hand. “When you were angry because my dad showed up, and then . . . well, you know the other time.”
Yes, the time I found out my sister had been taken advantage of. The time I found out afriendhurt her. Someone I trusted, someone who was supposed to help protect her did the opposite.
I lost my mind. I went absolutely insane when I found out that my supposed best friend touched my sister when she was only sixteen fucking years old and he was twenty-seven.
“There’s nothing bothering me,” I say again.
“Asher, you can talk to me.”
No, I can’t talk to her about this. I can’t tell her that I’m a bear because I keep thinking about Phoebe and wondering if she’s okay. It’s bad enough that I’ve been texting her every hour because I can’t see her, touch her, or smell her sweet perfume.
“Yes, but I won’t.”
She shakes her head. “Brothers. You’re all the same—dumb.”
“And you are the smart one?”
“Of course I am! By the way, have you spoken to Grady?”
“Not recently,” I say.
Brynn jumps up, grabbing my arm. “Oh! I have an amazing idea!”
Never ever words I want to hear. “No.”
“What?”
“Whatever it is, no. Your ideas are never good and always end up with me wanting to slam my head against the wall.”
My sister huffs. “You should go away for the weekend.”
I could go to Austin . . .
Although, I don’t think that’s what Brynlee means. “You want me to go away for the weekend? To where?”
“Go down to Florida! Help Grady pack or just take him out and get him to talk to you. He’ll be up here in a few weeks, and I’m sure he needs help.”
I sigh deeply. “I’m not going to show up at Grady’s house and help him pack. Do you remember our brother at all? He hates surprises. He hates people touching his shit. He hates anyone giving him any kind of direction either.”
Brynn flops back on the couch. “Ugh. True.”
But . . . I could go to Texas. Spend a weekend with Phoebe without worrying about my daughter walking in or having to hide.
“I could go visit a friend.”
“You have friends?” Brynn asks.
“Yes, I have friends. One of the guys I was in the academy with moved away, and he’s been up my ass about coming to see him.”
Brynn’s smile widens. “You should go, Ash! You never do anything fun. You work or are with Liv. She and I can spend the weekend together, and you can go enjoy a few days by yourself.”
Only I won’t be by myself. Not if I can get this to work the way I want.
